Austria’s financial police seized 55 gambling machines during an operation in Upper Austria from 16 to 18 September, reportedly. The operation also enforced a €34,000 debt attachment; officials said nearly 300 machines had been confiscated in the region that year.
The seizures and debt enforcement indicate active action against illegal gambling venues in Upper Austria.
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Austria’s Financial Police and police attended a private flat in Vienna’s 15th district in early October after a poker player alleged he had been cheated at a game there. Financial Police provisionally seized the poker table, cards and chips and said they would begin confiscation proceedings and seek administrative penalty proceedings against the organiser, who faces a possible fine of up to €30,000.
Austria’s financial police, working with Salzburg police and federal officers, inspected three suspected illegal gambling venues in Salzburg in December 2024 and seized 22 devices, the finance authority said. It initiated administrative penalty proceedings against those responsible, with expected penalties of about €80,000; officers also seized €2,055 in cash.
Austria’s financial police seized nine slot machines and a betting terminal from an illegal gambling venue in Salzburg, according to the Finance Ministry. The operators were not present, investigations are continuing and the operator could face fines of up to €300,000.
Salzburg police entered a suspected illegal gambling venue in the city on Wednesday evening and found 11 machines, which financial police seized, the regional police directorate said. Eight people were inside, and police said they hoped to identify the operator through the property owner.
Austria’s financial police seized 91 devices in a coordinated operation at 17 locations, according to a report quoting Finance Minister Gernot Blümel. Police supported 51 financial-police staff in raids focused on Linz, Wels, Steyr, Traun and Vienna; authorities also closed several businesses and said investigations into those behind the operation were continuing.